[P-man]

I need funding in order to be able to build my fuel cell and make more research, including building a second (experimental) fuel cell with a nickel catalyst. Where can I get funded or by whom? And how? I was considering Ballard Power Systems or other companies that have made research on Fuel Cells.

Any help/suggestions welcome.

[billnotgatez]

Many of us have a job during the day that we set aside earnings from to fund our experiments.

In my youth I had a news paper route.

[mike]

I think this depends on a number of things:

location, experience, qualifications, publications, history, resources, commercial viability.

If you tell us some of these things maybe it would help?

[Dude]

Ballard already has hundreds if not thousands of designs already on fuel cells.  The only way you would get funding from a reasonably large specialized company is if:

1.  You are a super-slick marketing guy and can BS some wannabe in the company with credentials.  Typically, this only happens for university professors since they have a track record technically and resources from the university.  

2.  You have a fuel cell design that is somehow superior to existing fuel cells.  This would require you contacting a lawyer before even discussing funding.  You would pitch the idea under a confidentiality agreement (and even this approach has big risks if you have something useful).  You would be better off approaching a lawyer and a bank for funding (ie people who have no idea what you are talking about but could be convinced if you guarantee some type of return).

3.  You are non-threatening technically (ie young / disadvantaged etc) and can qualify as a tax writeoff for a big company.  This approach might allow you entertainment in your garage if you are extremely persistent, but even this approach would probably require you to set up a non-profit corporation since you must account for the money (ie how does the government know you aren't going to go out and buy an new car with the money).

Billnotgatez's approach is the best idea.

[billnotgatez]

You also have to deal with patent law issues.

[Borek]

I need funding in order to be able to build my fuel cell and make more research, including building a second (experimental) fuel cell with a nickel catalyst.

Somehow I don't remember you ever stated your first fuel cell (platinum based IIRC) worked...

I think billnotgatez suggestion (the one with news paper route) looks as the best one.

[mike]

Hey, why not get a job in R&D at this Ballard Power Systems place, then you would get paid to do the same thing!

[constant thinker]

You could try proposing your idea to the nearest University that would look into that kind of research. MIT (if in the area) might like the idea. They do so much research. I read a paper about research into Hydrogen cars and expiremental models. I don't think they ever build a full model though. Hey maybe if your lucky your expirement would be headed by you and you'd have undergrads working on it with you. That would be cool. Try car companies also.

Are you Canadian?

[Borek]

P-man leading a group of undergrads... I like the idea

[P-man]

In my youth I had a news paper route.

Don't have time but I've been busking. Made 30 bucks (CDN) in an hour.

location, experience, qualifications, publications, history, resources, commercial viability.

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Experience: Only 13 years of experience in life, so gimme a break.
Qualifications: If you consider getting the highest marks in the class a qualification.
Publications: What do you mean?
History: See Experience.
Resources: Computer, $30 CDN, garage, brain, ideas.
Commercial Viability: See Publications.

3.  You are non-threatening technically (ie young / disadvantaged etc) and can qualify as a tax writeoff for a big company.  This approach might allow you entertainment in your garage if you are extremely persistent, but even this approach would probably require you to set up a non-profit corporation since you must account for the money (ie how does the government know you aren't going to go out and buy an new car with the money).

I don't think I'm that technically threatening, being the bright 13-year-old-with-ideas-but-nothing-to-make-them-work I am. I don't think the car thing's gonna be a problem. Yeah, the problem is gonna be convincing them.

Somehow I don't remember you ever stated your first fuel cell (platinum based IIRC) worked...

I haven't gotten to build it yet. That's why I need money. And this is no simple experiment, this is a school project. And it's even more than that.

You could try proposing your idea to the nearest University that would look into that kind of research. MIT (if in the area) might like the idea.

I was thinking of doing that... I'll contact UofT ASAP.

[mike]

Well good luck, certainly sounds like you have the enthusiasm to succeed. Thankyou for answering my questions. I think that your best bet would be private investors (family, friends, yourself etc).

Publications: What do you mean?

lots of research gets published in reputable journals and can be used as a way to prove that you know what you are doing. These are usually heavily academic journals, but I bet that you could get "published" in other media such as local newspaper, school magazine, university paper etc (you may have to promote yourself though )

Commercial Viability: See Publications.

investors like to know that what you are making is going to sell (and therefore make them some money in return), show that there is a market out there for your product, or better still get some people lined up who are ready to buy the product!

Don't have time but I've been busking. Made 30 bucks (CDN) in an hour.

$30 and hour! I don't know the exchange rate (CND -> AUD) but sounds like you are already making more than chemists here in Oz anyway (I know, I know, its not all about the money )

Good luck mate!

[billnotgatez]

I also wish you good luck.

You might find some entity that is philanthropic enough because they want to encourage youth to do science. You might get them to provide you supplies rather than money. So you write a letter to Ballard Power Systems stating your age and your desire to do science. Then ask them for supplies to make an experimental fuel cell system. I have heard of electronics company giving chips to people to do experiments. So maybe other industries do the same. Of course, your request will have to be very convincing and good prose.

[P-man]

Thanks for all the tips guys. I'll get back to you as soon as I'm back on track and rolling.

[constant thinker]

I thought you were like 20 something. I hope that at your age you'll be able to get a patent on your design(s). If not go to a trusted person who's over 18. I wish I had nice parents that let me buy different elements and expirement. I also wish I had money. I have neither.

Best of Luck and if I were a teacher I'd give you an A for the attempt.

[P-man]

Yeah, I'm working on designs for a fuel cell system on a car. Do you think it'll help me get funding?